SentryWorld golf course tour: Hole by hole

Throughout SentryWorld’s 18 holes, you’ll experience everything the modern parkland course has to offer, combined with the creativity and boldness co-designers Robert Trent Jones Jr., Bruce Charlton, and Jay Blasi are known for. Every hole features the characteristics that have made SentryWorld renowned in the golf world—playability, versatility, and stunning beauty.

Before you hit the course, learn about each hole in greater detail with our hole-by-hole course tour, complete with visuals.

Hole 1 | Par 4

461 Black / 424 Blue / 387 White / 344 Gold / 312 Green

SentryWorld’s first hole introduces you to many of the course’s defining elements, welcoming you while also testing your mettle. An inviting fairway is bracketed by white sand bunkers as it doglegs left, guiding you toward the diagonal green, where a kicker slope to the left offers a fine alternative to the bunkers on the right.

Hole 2 | Par 4

506 Black / 473 Blue / 445 White / 412 Gold / 375 Green

The second hole illustrates SentryWorld’s dynamic course design, requiring a series of straight shots—with trees to the left and water to the right—toward a green set upon a gentle rise with wooded surroundings. The various tee boxes provide options for your first shot, but no matter where you begin, your strength and precision will be rewarded here.

Hole 3 | Par 3

151 Black / 147 Blue / 133 White / 114 Gold / 97 Green

This is where SentryWorld’s big lake first comes into play. A downhill par three, the third hole sends tee shots directly toward the water, but a large and forgiving green stands between you and the hazard. Before you tee off, take a few moments to enjoy the “infinity green” view.

Hole 4 | Par 4

348 Black / 327 Blue / 299 White / 267 Gold / 234 Green

SentryWorld’s fourth hole is a drivable par four, but there’s more to this hole than its welcoming length. Water awaits errant shots off to the left, while wooded areas to the right and left require precision to avoid. Finally, the green is partially fronted by water, with bunkers to the back and right. Accuracy is the name of the game on this hole.

Hole 5 | Par 5

526 Black / 510 Blue / 475 White / 435 Gold / 370 Green

Course designer Robert Trent Jones Jr. says water “adds an element of drama to a course.” If that’s the case, SentryWorld’s par five fifth hole stands as one of the most dramatic holes in the state. A classic cape hole that wraps around the shore of SentryWorld’s big lake, this hole encourages power off the tee, precision in your approach, and thoughtful decision-making throughout.

Hole 6 | Par 4

510 Black / 489 Blue / 408 White / 345 Gold / 306 Green

SentryWorld’s sixth hole trades the water hazards of the previous holes for a new, equally daunting yet beautiful obstacle: a corridor of trees. This long par four requires conviction and directional precision off the tee. Should you avoid the trees and the twin fairway bunkers, you’ll be rewarded with a straightforward approach to an open entrance green. Play away, and hit it hard.

Hole 7 | Par 3

215 Black / 204 Blue / 170 White / 154 Gold / 117 Green

Take an extra moment and plan your tee shot carefully on this dynamic, relatively long par three. Beautiful white sand bunkers surround the green, but a kicker slope off the left bunker can be used to your advantage if you are bold enough and accurate enough to reach it off the tee.

Hole 8 | Par 4

381 Black / 340 Blue / 327 White / 296 Gold / 235 Green

SentryWorld’s eighth hole features four strategically placed bunkers to contend with as you approach the elevated green. No matter where your tee shot lands, your second shot will require pinpoint precision, as the bunkers fronting the green are joined by a cluster of trees just behind the putting surface and a fallout to the right. Choose your shots wisely, and you’ll leave the eighth hole happy.

Hole 9 | Par 5

508 Black / 487 Blue / 470 White / 432 Gold / 350 Green

SentryWorld’s front nine concludes with one of the most unique holes on the course, a risk/reward par five featuring a double fairway split by a creek that meanders all the way to the green. A “gambler’s shot” is available along the right fairway, offering a tempting path to the green that puts the creek in play. Accuracy and confidence will take you far on this hole.

Hole 10 | Par 5

612 Black / 567 Blue / 526 White / 483 Gold / 398 Green

The back nine begins with the longest hole on the course, a winding, arcing par five that sends you to the left before it doglegs right. As you approach the green, you’re met with three greenside bunkers that introduce precision on an otherwise power-driven hole. Though the 10th hole’s length may be daunting, the wide fairway and tantalizing sightlines make the hole as inviting as it is challenging.

Hole 11 | Par 4

319 Black / 291 Blue / 257 White / 236 Gold / 217 Green

After you’ve conquered the long 10th hole, you’re greeted with a welcoming, relatively straightforward and short par four. The 11th hole includes many subtleties that increase the “fun factor,” according to course co-architect Bruce Charlton, including a water backdrop, solitary greenside bunker, and the twin rows of trees along the fairway as you approach the green.

Hole 12 | Par 3

161 Black / 139 Blue / 123 White / 86 Gold / 76 Green

SentryWorld’s gorgeous par three 12th hole sends your tee shot over a section of the big lake onto a peninsula green bracketed by small bunkers and water on three sides. While there’s no fairway between you and the green, numerous tees along the water’s edge provide golfers of all abilities an opportunity to hit the green. No matter where you tee off, a shot across the water is always exhilarating.

Hole 13 | Par 4

424 Black / 424 Blue / 345 White / 331 Gold / 212 Green

With the 13th hole, you get one more shot at SentryWorld’s big lake—and what a shot it is. You’ll send your tee shot directly over the lake (up to a 200-yard carry from the blue and black tees) onto a straightaway fairway. The green hugs the shoreline slightly and is bookended by two small bunkers, so be sure to maintain your focus from tee to green on this creative, versatile par four.

Hole 14 | Par 5

575 Black / 523 Blue / 501 White / 456 Gold / 421 Green

SentryWorld’s 14th hole reintroduces you to the world of long par fives. Its widened fairways and gradual left-to-right path encourage you to swing for length, while the water hazard along the right side and the three greenside bunkers keep you from becoming complacent. Whether you’re a power hitter or your best attribute is accuracy, you’ll find the 14th hole offers plenty of room for your skills to shine.

Hole 15 | Par 4

458 Black / 425 Blue / 384 White / 340 Gold / 281 Green

A straightaway par four with plenty of options depending on the tee choice, SentryWorld’s 15th hole is a fine example of the course’s inviting appeal to golfers of all skill levels. Avoid the trees on the left and right of the fairway, and you’ll find yourself with a clear approach to the long, narrow green—with no bunker in sight. Maintain your focus, however, because a lengthy putt is no walk in the park.

Hole 16 | Par 3

176 Black / 168 Blue / 145 White / 120 Gold / 97 Green

The hole that made SentryWorld famous. Known throughout the golf world simply as “the Flower Hole,” this par three features more than 33,000 flowers surrounding its green. As beautiful as this hole is, however, it’s just as challenging. Three bunkers sit between your tee shot and the green, with a fourth directly to the left of the green. Play your shot well, however, and you’ll remember the 16th for more than its beautiful color.

Hole 17 | Par 4

368 Black / 334 Blue / 310 White / 284 Gold / 271 Green

SentryWorld’s par four 17th hole offers a wide, welcoming fairway off the tee before it doglegs to the right. An imposing wall of trees lines the right side from tee to green, so aim carefully throughout. Meanwhile, the expanded water hazard directly behind the green provides all the encouragement you need to avoid sending your approach long. The fairway narrows slightly as you approach the green, where a handful of trees briefly come into play to the left.

Hole 18 | Par 4

446 Black / 439 Blue / 405 White / 377 Gold / 305 Green

Though the 18th hole provides you with picturesque views of SentryWorld’s architecture as you approach the green, be sure to maintain your focus—this par four is as challenging as it is rewarding. Three fairway bunkers await you off the tee, just as the hole doglegs to the left, while another three bunkers guard the green. Nail your approach, sink your putt, take a breath, and head inside to PJ’s to celebrate the memories you’ve just made.